Visa Lisa

The Lion, the Yarn and the Franklin

2011-12-12T09:36:00.002+01:00

Franklin Habit writes about his visit at Lion Brand Studio and now I want to go back to NYC again. How can I have missed this place?? My fav part of the blog post though is the knitted US map quilt with the legend:

"A wall map, about five feet across reminds one that there aren't Red States or Blue States, only states that like to play with yarn."

more mugs

2011-11-06T12:03:00.002+01:00

I wrote some knitting quotes on some mugs again. Finally updated the shop. More to come!

OFFE

2011-10-30T21:22:00.004+01:00

I made it. The pattern is Finally here. The cardigan Offe is up for sale on Ravelry!

I could have continued working on this forever. You can write it however detailed and varied you want, since it's designed to be played with. You can choose long or short, broad stripes or narrow, long or short front panels... Once you've figured out the construction it's very easy to mod and adjust to your taste. Make your version!

Click on the images to see them in bigger versions.

A few tech details used in the cardigan are well explained in many youtube clips.

I've chosen a few here:

Provisional cast on on waste yarn here.

Mattress stitch here.

I-cord bind off here.

smarge

2011-10-24T19:41:00.002+02:00

I knitted a cowl, a hood, a shoulder snug, a shawl and a piece of knitted jewelry all in one! A simple but effective woolen hoop. I call it Smarge (Small, Medium and Large!)

I needed this garment, so I designed it. It's dead simple, but so wearable. The simple stitch pattern gives the fabric a little life, plus it lays flat and is reversible. It's a chevron pattern that is built in the contrast between knits and purls.

I can imagine this cowl might look very different in other yarns and colors, where this contrast is more pronounced. But I love my version in Manos Wool Clasicas bright red. I sell this pattern both through Ravelry (button below) and through Garnasinne, a new Swedish web shop for ecologically friendly and/ or fairtrade yarns (shop page in Swedish).

The pattern is availible in both English and Swedish.

urverk

2011-09-02T19:40:00.002+02:00

Finally! A pattern, a combo of yarn and a finished product that is just so HIM. I love having been able to give him something I knitted he’ll actually use. It's the genius Stephen West's Clockwork in a lively, shaded, green Colinette Jitterbug and grey Semilla from BC Garn. Very long, very many garter stitch rows, with just enough action happening in each to keep you interested. And as usual, Stephen has written up a genius pattern, just skipping the difficult bits by simply including them in easy directions for the whole thing. Genius. And fun! I finished the whole thing in less than a week.

Don't they look good together? All three of them?

Am I happy with this shawl?
I am happy with this shawl.

Done!

2011-08-24T20:05:00.004+02:00

And I LOVE it. It's just the splash of color I'll need in the collar of my autumn jacket. A jacket that will soon drop into my mailbox. I'll show you the ensemble when I have it.

Again: Stephen Wests' ability to simplify technique into concise directives in a pattern is like reading an art piece to me. So well done. If you've never knitted intarsia before, just knit this and go "Oh, so that's how you do it huh? I just did it, didn't I?", when you're done.

kollage square circulars

2011-08-20T08:28:00.002+02:00

When at KnitNation I was told Kollage doesn't make their square needles as circulars... but I knew they at least had. So I came home and looked around and found a place that sold them, so I bought one. I love the square dpns, and was hoping for the same needle bliss... I was wrong.

Now I've figured it out. Kollage made circulars, but stopped, because the cable sucks. No I'm not exaggerating. It was actually impossible to knit with. The cable is flimsy and long and the joint to the needle folds so easily, I had to stop every five stitches and move stitches one by one from cable to needle.

I was told Kollage is going to release circulars (again) within the year. If they do, I'll look for reviews before I buy one. I'm hoping the pause in production is about finding a different solution for the cable.

My Kollage Square Circulars will now be part of my curiosity cabinet rather than the usable needle collection...

clue 2

2011-08-13T18:43:00.003+02:00

So... I may be daft. I didn't realise until I saw these pictures next to the photo of the yarn in my previous post, that my Westknits shawl screams Gryffindor! Oh well, I still love it. The "yellow" is clearly more green or brown in some lights, and it's still gorgeous. I might add a teal stitch or two to counter the Potterverse connection if it's too blatant...

Other than that - I LOVE this design, this shawl and this mystery KAL! Even though I had to remake clue 2 after a clumsy mistake yesterday - it's worth every single stitch. I'm already looking at other westknits designs to start after this, and I still have a Clockwork of his to finish...

go go Gryffindor!

2011-08-13T18:35:00.003+02:00

Yesterday I scored a Deeply Wicked Skein in Easyknits Friday update. YAY!

My skein is Goodbye Harry 2 - Very appropriate for a Potter fan like myself, but also just the colors that have been drawing my eye lately. I'm thinking this will be the star of my next Westknits shawl (after the Mystery KAL)... I am So in love with Stephen West's ingenious way of explaining intricate detailing as something so straightforward and obvious as the logic of each of his designs seem to be!

2011-08-11T21:43:00.001+02:00

A favorite knitting friend just finished her Gratitude and it looks Awesome! The post is in Swedish - but look at the photos! I'm literally trembling with excitement!

Gratitude

2011-08-08T16:57:00.005+02:00

FINALLY!

I can now reveal my shawl (or rather scarf collar) pattern GRATITUDE.
It's done, and you can buy it! You want it? Yeah you do. Just click right here:

The name of the pattern is a dedication. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had this year thanks to Sandy.
This one's for you dearest!

Knit camp

2011-08-08T11:04:00.002+02:00

I've been to knit camp and some people has asked me what it is and how it's done.
Short answer is: It's a knitting oasis.

Long answer is: A Swedish knitting site (whose owner is one of my closest friends) stickamera.se organises whole weekends as knit retreats. We went to the same place at about the same time last year and it was the best four days ever - until these past four days.

The place is booked for Just Us. There are cabins (no electricity - but a fireplace in each) where we stay in groups of three or four. It's located in the middle of absolutely nowhere in the vast forests of Dalarna, up on a ridge, and the views, the landscapes around it, the sunsets are spectacular!

Next to the little row of cabins there's a main house where iphone addicted knitters can charge their darlings and keep in touch with the outside world if they want. I didn't particularly want to. Here is also where we gather if it rains and here is where we eat. Three times a day the wonderful peple who run this place come out and tell you that "Food is served!" or "Now there's coffee for everyone!". It's part of the deal.

So what do we do? We eat, sleep, knit and laugh. That's it.

No cooking, no alarm clocks, no must do or should do, no laundry, no checking email, no stress. Basically it's a meditation retreat - with yarn. Yes - that good.

Also Ateljé Norrgården (Save that link - they will be THE yarn you want forever and ever if you try it. The site is as of yet only available in Swedish, but google translate can work wonders...) brought some yarn to sell and dye.

There was a raffle (In which I won a skein of Handmaiden Lace Silk! Yay!) and then there was me teaching a top down garment design workshop.

It will be an annual event, so guess what I'm saving up for? Yup - I'll go again next year. Fo' sho'!

First clue

2011-08-03T17:58:00.001+02:00

I am at knitcamp. Best holiday ever. We sit and knit in the middle of nowhere with beautiful views and lovely people around us. I started by making my Clue 1 in the Westknits Mystery KAL. I hope my color choice pays off.

more inspiration

2011-07-26T10:06:00.002+02:00

Oh my knitting Goddess... I saw Brooklyntweeds new collection Wool People yesterday and have you seen the stuff in there!? I bought two patterns without even realising I was clicking a paypal symbol. I Had To Have Them. So now I'll bring yet another started project to Knitcamp. I need a Seraphine.

sneak peek

2011-07-25T18:46:00.002+02:00

It's done! I finished my first own lace shawl design, and two nice test knitters are busy making their versions of it. This "prototype" ended up being on the tiny side, which means the pattern will be available both as scarf and shawl. I'm offering it in Swedish to the few people I meet at Knitcamp in a couple of weeks... Then I need to decide when and where to make it available to all knitters. I'm all excited! Yay!

signed yarn

2011-07-22T09:58:00.005+02:00

Wednesday was my bestest I's birthday and I went bearing gifts I bought at Knitnation. Being a knitter like me, I (and several of the guests) understands the beauty of yarn, patterns and needles. She had mulberry silk and a skein of Handmaiden silk and other wonderful knit related parcels. But I thought I'd tell you what I gave her:

First - a copy of Little Red in the City - signed with a birthday greeting by the ever awesome and lovely Ysolda. Thanks Ysolda!

Second - a skein of Socktopus yarn which I (kind of awkwardly) asked both sockdesigning geniuses Socktopus herself (the ever so wonderful Alice) and the ever smiling under blue bangs cute Cookie to sign! They wrote suggestions to what design of theirs they would knit in that particular color. Thank you both for that!

(Photo borrowed from I's rav-stash)

The gift was very much appreciated, and I think "signed yarn" is quite as good an idea as "signed book".

(There's more signed yarn in my bag, but I haven't given it away yet, so shhhh!)

whole lotta knittin'...

2011-07-21T23:30:00.003+02:00

...goin' on.

So I teach a class in top down sweater design in a couple of weeks. I need to get crackin' on those "begun" cardis I was going to use as illustrations. Instead - I knit a shawl. But not just any shawl. It's my first real shawl design! And it's not just any ol' triangle... I actually feel this could be a Real Thing of Beauty where I'll actually feel proud to distribute or publish the pattern somewhere. It's damn exciting if you ask me.

Ergo: I knit like a maniac, and I need to knit more. Life is good.

Oh... and my slideshow below was mentioned in Michaela's blog today. I'm becoming part of new online circles of knitters. I am most thankful!

Westknits Mystery Shawl KAL part 1

2011-07-19T10:48:00.002+02:00

This is the most perfectly timed Mystery KAL evah!
I was trying to choose which Stephen West shawl to make For Me (Because I’m on a Clockwork that’ll be a gift. It has to stand back for a bit.) and this pops up just as I was unable to pick one of the many…

YAY! Stephen chose for me!

Then I went to KnitNation and actually got to say hello to Stephen West himself (Hi Stephen!) and I actually told him I was making this in teal, the swampcolored green and a solid grey… Then I got home and this RED just popped at me and wanted to be part of it. They’re all quite "stiff" sockyarns, but it’s just the wrap I need. But now I can’t decide which one to leave out!

The red is a Colinette Jitterbug, the “green” and grey from the Yarn Yard and the teal is a Socktopus.

Care to give me your input on what to do? I think I'll be swatching quite a bit for this...

revival and KNITNATION

2011-07-18T21:55:00.005+02:00

I just got home from KnitNation and I now have more reasons than ever to write about knitting in English again.

The past few years I've been writing more and more in my Swedish blog and less here, mostly because most people who want to read about my knitting are Swedish. However, there are a few international friends out there, and you just became a few more this weekend! Oh, the people I've met, the yarns I've seen and the memories I've taken home with me!

I have trouble describing it all, so here is a slideshow for you! The story is in the subtitles. I should have taken more of more of the wonderful people I've met in the KnitNation crew - but here's a big wave to all of you!

I had minimized my luggage as far as I could this weekend, so the photos are all taken with my iphone... Sorry about the quality on some of them.

2010-10-24T14:50:00.005+02:00

Recently a few newcomers have found this English blog of mine, and that's always a treat of course, but I feel bad... I haven't written in this blog for ages, and everything has been in Swedish recently.

I do think this blog will get a revival shortly too, but until then you find me at

www.visalisas.blogspot.com - in Swedish

gotta brag...

2010-02-02T00:17:00.002+01:00

Check out my new cardi! I'm so happy with it I could cry!

It's Ysolda Teague's Vivian and it's knitted in my favorite: Araucania Nature Wool.

fulfilled promise

2009-10-19T20:27:00.002+02:00

Oh, and I seem to have promised to show this photo of "proud knitter wrapped in shawl"

Look! I knit!

2009-10-19T20:23:00.002+02:00

It's my grey on grey Venezia. Rolff thinks I should prioritize cuddling to knitting though.

Other than that - We bought a house! And I'm moving into a dream home in the woods outside Gothenburg next weekend.

anagram name

2009-09-02T23:19:00.000+02:00

Any other knitter out there that giggles at this? I giggled.

Lisa Ahlstrom's anagram name is SLIM AS HARLOT

shawl

2009-08-29T13:42:00.004+02:00

It's hanging, still slightly damp, tempting me. It's done. Finally.
It was my project for the IAAF World Championships knit-along, but I ran out of yarn and finished late. It's the luscious Noro Silk Garden Sock, that behaved awfully while knitting, but is blocked out to one of the most beautiful knitted surfaces I've ever seen! I cast off using a cotton linnen blend in a solid brown-grey color to get a steady edging, and I must say that was a stroke of brilliance on my part!

More pictures will be posted when I can show the whole thing wrapped around a proud knitter!

omg crochet!

2009-07-04T23:34:00.002+02:00

Look! I can crochet! I even freestyled the trousers (deliberately wonky).
He needs a name though... Any suggestions?

updated etsy again

2009-03-30T18:21:00.001+02:00

Two new additions to my etsy today. A cat and a lamb. I almost kept the lamb for myself... The perfect accessory to a knitting bag!

new pattern!!!

2009-03-16T11:00:00.003+01:00

A versatile, simple and whimsical hat pattern is born.
"Mysse" is now published over at visalisadesign!

I'm making other examples of it to show you.
Bright blue with a knot on top for example...

updated etsy

2009-02-28T23:14:00.003+01:00

New brooches added to my etsy shop - and more are on their way!
Found these Fabulous jigsaw pieces from the 40s, with gnomes , bugs and spotty mushrooms on them. To many big pieces of a small jigsaw is missing to be able to see the whole picture, but from what I could see, it's super cute!
And as brooces or pendants - success! I wore the one I saved for myself today. Three different people commented on it! Go shop my stuff!

green silk

2009-02-26T11:06:00.002+01:00

A little scarf to go with the big grey collar on my new jacket.
It's pure silk and it's super duper green! The pattern is "Woodland Shawl" - easy peasy repeats and fun all around. It's been the perfect busride companion.
I'm surprised that so few have commented on the purl side of this pattern! It's just as gorgeous as the leafy side!

green tam

2009-01-20T00:10:00.003+01:00

I bought a new grey jacket, and suddenly I needed a green new hat.
Because red hair plus green hat equals fabulous.

The color is more true in the photo taken with the flash, but the pattern shows better in the other two.
Pattern: Sunflower Tam from the book Knitting Nature.
Yarn: Garnstudio Alpaca held double
Changes: Ribbing done with twisted knit stitches, and the "cabled stitches" were done "my way" rather than the way the pattern suggested. I just like it the way I like it.

dwarves

2009-01-10T13:43:00.002+01:00

The first four dwarves from the fairytale about Snowhite found their way to my Etsy shop!
I found this old jigsaw in an auction and I love it so much!
Only four brooches done so far, but the prince, the crone and the others will get on there eventually. I just need to resupply!
Go check it out!

christmas knitting

2008-12-29T15:05:00.002+01:00

Finally the holidays are kind of over and all the knitted gifts have been distributed. THat means I can show you the two I'm the most proud of here on the blog! Yay!
So for your pleasure I present to you Mum's Selbu:

and a Winter's Gail:

Christmas

2008-12-10T22:00:00.002+01:00

...means that all knitting projects are secret, so there's nothing to blog.

And the new Knitty is up. It's been too much to my taste on knitty so far, that honestly... I donät feel like making a single thing on there! And that's a first.
The closest I get is the collar cowl Poinsettia, but I'm making one of Mandy's neckwarmers before I even consider adding that one to my queue.

So my queue is: Finish Christmas stuff, a green toque for me, something gorgeous, something soft and something to match all of the above... I think.

I got it

2008-12-04T08:07:00.002+01:00

It has begun.
Life.

Somehow that's how it feels, after years of worry, insecurity, project hopping and the feeling of never doing enough... I just landed a PhD position at my old university. I get paid to research the subject I consider my speciality for the next five years.

It's amazing.

I have a desk, keys to a room, a computer, login for a computer system, keycard... In my world all these things tell me that I belong somewhere. I've found a place that is all mine.

My research will be along the lines of making the democracy process and citizen involvement smoother, more natural and more influencial when planning new housing projects. I've only read stuff for two days, and I haven't exactly narrowed it down to a descriptive title yet, but let's just say it's right up my alley! Architecture when it best benefits the ones using it, rather than the ones designing it or discussing it, you might say.

I haven't been this hungry for more or inspired by something for a looong time!

more Rolff

2008-10-22T12:38:00.002+02:00

And I think I need to show my English readers some more dog photos.

(click for big)

Selbu Green

2008-10-22T12:35:00.004+02:00

Look! I knit!
This time a Selbu toque for myself. It'll look awesome matched with my green winter coat and my brick-red shawl don't you think?

Rolff

2008-10-06T23:00:00.002+02:00

This is Rolff. He just moved in. Rolff is two years old and has apparently had some bad luck with previous owners, just looking for some consistency, some calm. So he was given to us, and he moved in today. We'll try and provide that calm and consistency this guy so badly needs.
Welcome home Rolff.

Isn't he just gorgeous?

Done!

2008-08-22T17:42:00.003+02:00

Can you believe it!?

Jodi, I LOOOOOVE this cable pattern and I love You for it!
I still need to steam it a little, and pamper it a bit, and fasten a few thread ends that I've ignored, but it is essentially done. I've never done so much seaming in my life! I learned how to make invisible gorgeous seams, but I'm not sure I ever want to do it again... Top down raglans for me for a while I think.

I'm incredibly proud though, that I actually pulled it off!

A little one

2008-08-21T19:26:00.003+02:00

When a friend gives you good news that give you reason to make a tiny little dress, you have to knit it right away. So I did.

I made my own version of Anouk - from Knitty. Now, let's just hope the recipient and her parents like it...

Oh, and I'm getting word about a job I applied for this week. Will you please all cross your fingers that I get it? I want it so bad!

Durrow

2008-08-14T14:24:00.002+02:00

... is coming along nicely.
I made the sleeves my olympic project, and I'm halfway through!
Casting on the other tonight. Go go go!
(click this whole post to see the pattern)

wordomize

2008-07-24T14:10:00.001+02:00

Looks like I've started an armory or opened war on something... When did my blog become this violent? ;)

all buttoned up

2008-07-15T19:51:00.002+02:00

I wore my newly made button clipon earrings today. My ear lobes hurt after a full day, but damn they're cute! Several people actually bothered to tell me so too.

In other news I'm making progress in my battle with the sewing machines! They've been the siege engines of my life - always in somebody elses army working against me.
My crafts teacher in school made a good job convincing me I can't even hold a needle...
But with a little help and a lot of will power I now own a medieval gown! Or rather it's just a long tunic with a red dress over it and a purse and a little hat and a big hood... Oh, I guess it's a full outfit isn't it? Exiting!

We're going to this medieval fair thing this weekend so I'll try and get photos of my 1200-something self. Me. Sewing. Who'd have thought huh?

ETSY

2008-07-09T00:04:00.001+02:00

I'm on etsy! Can you believe it!? I finally got my thumb out of my... well... I finally got around to actually listing a shop. So far only four brooches made it on there, but there are more, prettier and exiting things coming!

sharp pointed weapons

2008-06-25T19:54:00.003+02:00

A friend once uttered about knitting that it has to be the manliest thing one can do:

"Armed with sharp pointed weapons in both hands, and usually surrounded by women"

...was his take on our favorite hobby (loosely translated from Swedish).

Now I have truly sharpened those weapons as I finally got these babies home - iron knitting needles! Made by hand by a real blacksmith. Can you imagine something cooler? I can't. Not very comfortable, heavy and loudly clanging to knit with, but hey -
Iron Needles!
I have big plans on how to display them best... But anyone who comes to visit will have the opportunity to try them out. That's a promise.

fraggle knits

2008-06-21T22:09:00.001+02:00

Remember fraggle mountain? Then take a look at this! (You can fast forward to 3.40 in to the clip if you Just wanna see why I made a knitting reference)

Too bad the dozers preferred building to knitting huh?

still knitting

2008-06-21T17:12:00.006+02:00

After having moved (!), finished two projects for work, worked my pretty little ass off... I picked up some yarn and some sticks and began creating something again! I finished Rogue - the knitted parts - some time ago, but I have big plans for that baby so you'll have to wait longer for pictures of that. It is so far the best thing I ever did.
Now I've cast on Seascape and Durrow.

The Seascape almost became a disaster until I remembered the golden rule:
It's my knitting and I'll alter if I want to
So I'm making it a Seascape based stole.

I'm using the pattern but not exactly as it was intended. Mistakes can be such creative tools sometimes.

Then for the Durrow. Ribs, ribs, ribs...

I see what you did here Jodi. You make me long for the cable work and thus I'm speeding through the boring part first? Is that the idea? Anyway - since I'm making it in a humongous size it's a lot of ribs, but give me a dull enough movie and I'll be shaping the neckline in no time at all.
Also considering adding a hem, but we'll see about that.
Still - I can't wait to get to those sleeves!

2008-05-07T13:57:00.001+02:00

“Worry is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.”

endpaper

2008-05-02T18:42:00.004+02:00

Being my first multicolor project ever, it might be considered odd that the backside is actually more awesome than the outside... But the koigu yarn is just magical! When daylight hits this mitten - it has a clear pattern. In the shade it's just greenishly beautifully random.
The backside is stripey and shiney. I might actually wear these inside out! When I get around to making number two.

rogue

2008-05-02T11:41:00.002+02:00

I'm making a very personal version of the rogue sweater. First of all I'm making it a cardigan. Second of all I'm making it huge. Much longer than the pattern says it should be, and thicker. And I'm planning on lining it with a burgundy or black thin inner jacket. But now it's stitched together and all the knitting I have left is an i-cord edging along the zipper. And I'll block it with gentle steam and lots of pressure before measuring anything.
I'll take more photos shortly.

Wish me luck!

In other news I'm moving in a month to a big apartment, so I'm getting a yarn cabinet! And we'll be able to have the sewing machine out! And... I'll be decorating rather than knitting for a while I guess.

swatch

2008-01-13T13:45:00.000+01:00

This yarn. This stitch pattern. A dream come true.
Now let's keep our fingers crossed that in a lifetime or two I'll have combined them into an equally wonderful design of a garment.

haunted house for sale

2008-01-12T08:26:00.000+01:00

Apparently this Roadside Attraction Haunted House (Road Side attractions are the Stone Henges of America - please read American Gods if you haven't yet!) is closing and selling everything on auction!
But I always have my knitters' eyes, and all I could see was this display case for yarn - also known as spectacular bookshelf..
There are some hideous and crappy pieces in there too (most of it to be honest), but I wouldn't mind a mirror, an exit sign or a suit of armor. Go take a look!

hunters' toque

2008-01-09T13:59:00.000+01:00

I got a knitting request today. (Read this next tongue twisting sentence out loud:) A hunter wants a hat for when he's hunting hares. (I should have written toque, but hat went better with the rythm) The requirements were very specific, and he made very sure that I knew how he meant, and I just smiled. This will be so much fun!

He wants to be able to pull it down like a ski mask - Are you thinking what I'm thinking? And he wants it to be in a rather special shade of green. No problems.
What he doesn't know, is that I'm making him a pair of half mitts to match. I already bought the yarn, and I'll cast on tonight.

amazing gift

2007-12-30T13:11:00.000+01:00

Exactly how incredible is this Christmas present?

Made for me! Just me! From horn of a deer and apple tree wood. It smells nice, it crochets nicely, it's just... perfect!

mittens

2007-12-16T18:10:00.000+01:00

The last weeks few moments of knitting are still a secret so I'll tell you about it after Christmas... For now, all I can tell you is that there has been a few dramatic moments. It was all Crap with a capital C, but I think I might have saved it. Outcome still in the dark though.

I have however finished the Best Mittens Ever. I use them all the time, and they're posted on Ravelry as they should be. Here are all the photos:

I'm a designer

2007-11-20T09:27:00.000+01:00

I found someone on Ravelry who made my mittens! Incredible feeling. I knew I had made a few mistakes in the pattern too, and now she helped me with some of it.
So now it's updated! Finally.

So go have a look see, and then make my Vikingùr Vantùr!

here be dragon

2007-11-19T20:07:00.000+01:00

I need to practise my crochet, and I was bored. Hence, a dragon.
Totally improvised last night, and totally tiny. Whaddya think peeps?

fuzz monster

2007-11-15T14:54:00.000+01:00

Is it a beret?

No! It's a Fuzz Monster!

It was supposed to become a funky beret. It's becoming a Fuzz Monster.
I'm still finishing it one of these days and honestly, I can't wait to see the result. It could still be a successfully Very Funky Hat. But I'll bet my money on a Fuzz Monster...

Fabulously wonderful

2007-11-10T11:56:00.000+01:00

Done. It fits absolutely Perfectly. I Love Love Love it!
Made it up as I went. Now I want ten more of these. Only took me a week and a half too!

Ånäset Cast On

2007-11-05T21:37:00.000+01:00

Here it is: Tutorial for a traditional cast on from a village called Ånäset in northern Sweden. This lady said her grandmother taught her to cast on like this and she says she's never found a cast on method she likes better. You end up with an extra "rope" along the edge, and a little purl-pearl row on each side. It is a complication of the ordinary long tail cast on, but the result is far more decorative, flat and stretchy. I like and will use. Now - pictures!
(All images are clickable for bigger versions as usual.)

You start with a loop around your needle as usual, tail hanging down, ball of yarn above.

With thumb and index finger between threads you tilt your hand to create two loops. One around the thumb and one around the index finger.

I'll refer to these two loops in this tutorial as shown above. Thumb loop in red, index loop in yellow. In the photo the needle tip points to the Upper half of the Thumb loop.

Bring needle under both halves of thumb loop.

Come back above the upper half of the thumb loop and dip needle into it.

Bring the needle up over the thumb loop.

Dip into the index loop fetching the lower half of this loop. This thread will be the stitch saved around the needle. Now you just need to find your way out of the thumb loop again, bringing the thread from the lower half of the index loop with you.

Tilt your hand and bring the thread over the lower half of the thumb loop.

This photo isn't as clear as I'd have wanted but what you do is: Wriggle the stitch out of the thumb loop by bringing it through the loop from the backside. Coming out around the upper half of the thumb loop. (With your hand tilted like this you should be able to see "the way out")

Now just release and pull, and you should have one stitch on the needle. Now repeat a few times and you should have a neat row looking like this:

Please try it and let me know if this tutorial was understandable! (If not I'll try a movieclip next time).

Edit: I was just told that this might be a cast on presented in books as a "traditional Norwegian cast on", and it certainly sounds credible. However it may be, it's a clever one.

new cast on!

2007-11-02T16:15:00.003+01:00

I learned a new way to cast on today and the edge becomes really neat! I must put my camera in somebody elses hands to photograph my own hands doing it to share it with all of you. I will! Promise!

The lady who taught me said she learned from her grandmother when she was a child. Now she was past 80 years old. She came from northern Sweden and claimed this was a traditional cast on from her parts of my beautiful country. Now it will live for a few more generations, because I'll use this a lot!

I met her, and seven other wonderful little ladies today as I was the hostess of a mini knitting café at the museum I work at. We had a cosy little chat about tradition, today, knitting, yarn and inspiration. I dare say it was one of those rare moments where nine people around a table really teach each other something new. I came away from that event with inspiration, a new cast on method and a big smile.

((opening fanfare))

2007-11-02T00:24:00.001+01:00

I saw a movie the other night ("Catch me if you can" - actually very entertaining despite low expectations) and had it subtitled in English, as I often do. The problem is, it's often subtitled "for the hearing impaired" which makes me laugh my head off every once in a while. This time, the background music was subtitled too (!), and in between my fits of laughter I thought that this would make for a humorous and very illustrative way to blog! Blogging with background sound! Blogging with a soundtrack! I just have to try it...

In the beginning of the movie the subtitles explained to us that the background played a "jazzy saxophone in accelerating melody". After a while "orchestra picks up melody" and later still "solo guitar". Sometimes we apparently listened to "stressful beats" and sometimes "flutes in calm melody"... My question is - How does this help a deaf person? All input welcome.

One thing I am certain of though ((Dramatic crescendo)) - it does help a blogger!

So here we go: My latest knitting adventures accompanied by music for the hearing impaired! ((Duh-duh-DUMMMM))

((solo guitar building mood))
I cast on a shawl that might Blow My Mind if it turns out the way I hope! ((flutes join a romantic fantasy)) I chose a chocolate brown merino and cast on Elann's Aran Weight Victorian Lace Shawl and I can't wait to see how it goes! Pictures to come when I have more than three rows to show.

Also I'm working on a top down raglan that I'm improvising as I go and so far it's going great! ((Be bop improv scatting)) I'll try it on again tomorrow or the day after and I hope to show you photos this weekend... I love my top downs.

((A single oboe lingers in a jazz mood for the finale))
With that I leave you for now. Even if you know the language, turn on the subtitles sometimes, for that extra jazzy flavor! But having tried it, I can't really recommend subtitles for blogging...

happy hooker

2007-10-29T19:15:00.000+01:00

I went nuts! Look! I mastered the flower first...

So I made an mp3player cosy and a mitten too! Just one mitten to go. (And I improvised it!) I'm hooked! (Lamest joke ever)

Knitfest

2007-10-27T18:27:00.000+02:00

There was this Knitfest this weekend. There is this Knitfest actually but I had to leave early. People gathered around exhibitions, workshops, yarn, wool and fibre out in the archipelago outside of Gothenburg. I had the BEST time!
And I finally learned how to crochet properly. Still got a long way to go, but I mastered the sample bits we made, and it made me go and buy a new hook. The kind with a light in it! Just for fun of course, but unless there was the fabulous stuff to go along with your hobby... It's half the fun isn't it? Funky needles, hooks, markers and measure tapes! At least to me.

Let's go shopping! But, oh wait... Lemme just earn some new money first.

let's try it a stitch at a time ok?

2007-10-25T22:34:00.000+02:00

Yet another try... I'm not doing too good keeping this blog am I? Well, there are many explanations to why, but since they're reasons I don't write I hope you can understand if I don't explain too much.

I haven't been too hot for quite a while, and a lot of it has to do with my own demons, fears, worries and insecurities. A lot has happened because of them, and a lot of them have happened because of things. Yes, it's that complicated.

I have an idea however:
I just got in to Ravelry - the knitting community online, so here's a thought..
I'll try and make this a pure knitting blog. You won't get into my head too much or my everyday events, but it might get me writing again. I'd like that.
I got knitting again, and tomorrow I'm even giving a lecture about how easy it is to knit according to patterns in English... Can you believe it?

Well, I'm visalisa at Ravelry, so if you're in there - look me up and come find me! Poke me! Knit with me!

I knit - therefore I am (a blogger again)

not an actual post

2007-05-09T22:41:00.000+02:00

Just an important link! (click the whole post)

Apparently prestige really is more important than world peace.

buttons

2007-04-22T11:51:00.000+02:00

I promised Jodi I'd tell you all about how I wear my buttons. I have tons, but I've chosen a composition which I update to and fro (very Carrie Bradshaw somehow). This started with the same Jodi sending me some gorgeous ones she'd made quite a while back now, and those are still some of the absolute favorites. These are the buttons I wear and how I wear them on a certain cardi, or as today on a certain "hug my fat-top" that I so like.

I hope you recognize the little figure at the top - it's my own. Next to it is a black and white button from the Architecture Museum in Stockholm. It's a pattern taken from the facade of a building in Jönköping (a Swedish town). Below that is a pink pig with the word "sötgris" (cute pig) under it. It's a gift from one of my best friends and the cute pig is me. Next to that is a green map, composed onto a button by Jodi (She has to tell you in a comment why the green map). This one I occasionally switch to a knitting pattern template-button also made by Jodi. Then it's the other Jodi-button where the word Knit is in a classic tattoo-heart. A button like this has been featured in a knitting mag (Knit 1. Go Jodi!) and all my knitting pals envy this one so much. All that's left is the broche from grandma. It's probably from the 20s and the design is so... so... ME!

There. All buttoned up.

I'll try

2007-04-22T11:14:00.000+02:00

Writing in this blog has been difficult for many many reasons lately (or for the past year) and I will not write about them all. But This is a promise of an attempt to write some in English again. Two people have wished so the last few days and who am I to argue with people I admire myself!
Today is the first day of the rest of my blog.

found in translation

2006-12-07T21:38:00.000+01:00

The Vikingùr Vantùr mittens are now availible in English! Enjoy! Share! (And tell me if you find any weirdnessessesses*... It is my first pattern after all... )

*Note: Lisa knows how to start spelling weirdnesses. She just doesn't know how to stop.

mitts and cups

2006-12-06T16:52:00.000+01:00

I haven't written in English in quite some time, and there are many reasons why, yet none at all, so let's just say I haven't and be done with it: I haven't.
(Though I wish I would more often. A lot of interesting things happening, going on and so forth - one of which is that I believe in my knitting abilities enough to SHARE IT now! Yes, I have designed! (Save the applause!) Unfortunately, the two patterns so far are still only availible in Swedish, BUT, (you can start cheering again) I plan on translating them!
It is all availible here:

And yes, I'll try to write more soon. Some of you have personal emails, letters or phone calls coming your way, and for the rest of you I can only quote a square jawed governor on this one: I'll be back.

scar tissue

2006-10-09T12:04:00.000+02:00

The nurse that has been looking after my wounds couldn't keep it bottled up any longer today. She just had to say something about how stupid my doctor was not to have been more careful when closing and stitching up the wounds. "Now you risk getting grotesque scars!" she said.

Then, she continued, that it's up to me now. I need to maintain it. I need to tape it up. Scarring takes up to a year and if I keep those scars tight it might be ok. So now I need to tape my feet for a year. Yee ha.
Or, I just don't, and I get monster feet to scare small children with. Hah! It's almost as if I don't care anymore. Stupid feet.

On another note I've knitted a gorgeous shawl, and I'm starting my secon Baudelaire sock tonight. Pictures soon. I just need to block, photograph and well... get around to it first.

seasons change

2006-10-02T21:52:00.000+02:00

I can smell the rain from where I sit on the couch when the balcony door is ajar.
The weather is as ambivalent about the season as I am about life, but right now everything is the way it is supposed to be. Tea in a big cup, a blanket, a lit candle that flickers in the draft from the rainy outdoors... It all says autumn. October. The present. And me. Right here.
My foot is healing. I cleaned up the biggest mess. I wrote all those emails and I finished that text. I’m calm. I got a grip on that economy chaos that had me tossing and turning in the night before. I’m handling it. I’m handling this year and I’m handling me. It’s about time.
It is finally the way it should be. No more summer heat in October and no more me being lost within myself, thank you very much.

Now let’s pray it keeps raining. Just for a while at least.

crikey!

2006-09-10T14:55:00.000+02:00

I feel very weird about Discovery Channel's tribute to Steve Irwin today. They show him "juggling" crocs while telling the audience over and over about how close to being killed he is again and again. It gets very... uncomfortable to watch. Yet, I am human and pretty much tasteless right now. I can't stop watching!

And I'm giving myself all sorts of excuses not to clean my house, but all I can come up with is knitting away at my first pair of socks ever - the beautiful Baudelaire I started Friday.

yuk.

2006-09-09T16:27:00.000+02:00

Warning: If you want to hold on to your lunch: Do not read more than the last three phrases.

A lot circles around my bandaged foot and treating it well. It's still swollen around the wound and I wear a support sock kind of bandage - all the time. It's three layers of Tight Sock. My leg has the striped pattern of the textile texture and my foot ITCHES. Bad. I take it off at night and I sleep with my foot on a pillow, but there is still the yukky factor to be considered... Having been bandaged tight for a long time, my foot sheds its skin. It looks like a flesh toned fish's back under my sole. I feel disgusting.

Apart from limping and grossing myself out I started my First pair of socks yesterday. I'm making a beige version of the Baudelaire and it's turning out beautiful! Photos to follow eventually (of socks. Not of gross foot).

a quick bolero

2006-09-04T13:24:00.001+02:00

It was fast and fun. But it did have the same problem I encounter with all short shrugs - It was too wide in the back (due to some feminine curves of mine). But hey, I'm a knitter now! I solved it. A little i-cord and a waist later, I look fab in my new shrug. Even though the light in this blurry photo is very weird, and my stomach looks as if I'm pregnant... But the shrug looks guuuud.

swollen

2006-09-02T16:45:00.000+02:00

Sorry I haven't been writing. I think I try to deal with stuff in the real world without pouring it out online, simply because I don't want to phrase it all. I knit, I work and at the moment, I also hurt.

I hade surgery done on my right foot last week. Yes, I finally had my surgery done. They opened me up to clean up around the nerves in my foot, because I've strained my feet so bad, my blood vessels were the same size as they would've been on a limping 75 year old. It'll be better soon. But I'm swollen. More so than they had expected. I had my bandages around the two wounds redone yesterday, and it turns out they put the stitches really far apart to give the foot space to be swollen before it mended itself. It was still very (very) swollen.
Imagine a shirt that is simply too small, but you have forced all the buttons together anyway. Now imagine that same image, but with blue stitches and skin, with a bleeding foot being shut in behind it. Yes, that's me. Or rather my foot.
They promise it'll be better in another week, but I'm already tired of the crutches, of limping and of saying excuse me and asking for help all the time.

This year has been f-ing (yes, the f-word) unbelievable. I don't like it, but I'm getting through it. And of that - I'm actually proud.

balcony

2006-07-28T21:50:00.000+02:00

My balcony is a lovely place.
My eight-year-old cousin is asleep on the couch and at first I felt... obligated to come and sit here to give him some peace and quiet. But now, I realise that this is where I should spend the end of each summer day. It's been warmed up all day, so I can sit all night in just a t-shirt. I light some candles (hardly needed. Swedish summer nights are bright.) and I brought my laptop and my knitting. It's this perfect little place! I'll spend half an hour here before I join my little cousin and go to sleep. We've been at a pool all day and we're tanned (read: burned up) and exhausted.
A few breaths of night air and a couple of stitches later I hopefully will have turned "exhausted" into "at peace".

ehum... hello.

2006-07-25T22:25:00.000+02:00

I'm back. Sorry I've been... away.

Ehm... How do I start? I mean I haven’t blogged in a while. I could start with... no, if I tell you that I must first tell you about the... or when I... But that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t... No wait... Let’s try this again:

I’m back.
There. I’m blogging again.

I have tried to write some in Swedish, but it was hard. Rewriting it in English felt... even more difficult. But here I am again! Yay! But now, where to start?

It’s been tough. I’m learning a lot about myself and my behaviour patterns. How and why I shut down about some things while others have to come out. How the walls I build to protect myself aren’t at all as strong as I thought. And I’ve learned that I have some really wonderful friends. They’re there for me no matter how weak I need to be sometimes. My pride refused me to see that before.

Now some knitting: I’m making this.

It’s a Shetland Triangle Shawl made from some really cheap cotton yarn. I think the pattern looks great in this tougher material! But the purl rounds are boooooring...
So in the meantime I made these for a friend:

And they were so much fun that I made a pair for me too. Those are the hands of my friend T trying a few stitches on my pair in the photo. We were at a medieval festival and boy did we look picturesque when we settled down for the evenings' concert... Me knitting and him fiddling with some chain mail art stuff... Just look at us:

So, I’m hanging out with friends. Drinking an occasional beer and laughing with dear people in my life trying to live in the moment as much as I can. Also, the snail mail system has brought me real treats as of late. First, there was a care package from Spencer... Filled with love and care, and Longview Jerky, and Dentyne gum and Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea... and a new mic for the computer. Spencer cares. And knows what I miss from Canada. Thank youuuuuuu! (Howling)

Second, there was an amazing surprise. Jodi. No, I don’t mean Jodi was pushed through the slot in my door, but she sent me a present. Jodi is amazing and we’ve been reading each other’s blogs for ... a while... long while now. (Hello Jodi!) She sent me an email, just caring for me when I’ve been so ”quiet as of late” (as was the subject to her email). Then – She sends me this:

Can you believe it? It’s the book from A Softer World and some buttons she made. I never met Jodi. Jodi cares. And Jodi is wonderful and sends me a perfect gift. Thank you Jodi! SO much.
She also wrote that she missed my blogging. So has a few more of you. Thank you. It has been a most warming thought, that my words mean something to someones. Thank you guys! I’ll try and be back as a blogger now.

This week my little cousin is visiting. I’ll give a report from my week as substitute mum when we’ve had our amusement park adventures...

This has been a very rambling and a very... uhm... kind of... uhm-kind of blog entry. I'll get the hang of this again soon...
Until then: tata!

gone

2006-06-26T19:50:00.000+02:00

My little grandmother is never waking up again.

She slept for a week before she, or something, or someone, decided it was time to leave.

cute pain

2006-06-26T02:06:00.000+02:00

I can't believe I never thought to use this little darling as an illustration when my eye was hurting... Oh, well.

The eye is much better at least and I'm working up to the day I have enough inspiration to write something inspired again.

sven göran eriksson

2006-06-26T00:29:00.000+02:00

Now all I need is someone catching him on tape saying: "Eeeeeeexcellent..."

weather

2006-06-21T11:06:00.000+02:00

Picture borrowed from Jay Leno's "Headlines"

no.

2006-06-20T11:58:00.000+02:00

My beloved grandma is unconscious. They say she might not wake up.
I'm numb. Tears don't help.

All I feel yet is that it has to be enough soon. No more bad news for a while. Please.

Now, I'm going to feel nothing for a while until I explode in a fountain of useless tears again.

Tears sometimes help, but after the exsessive use of tears the last month I find them completely useless now.

Fuck this. (Yes, I actually said fuck this. Pardon my English, so to speak.)

not-so-good

2006-06-17T11:00:00.000+02:00

So I went back to the hospital to show them how my eye is so much better. It is. I need to continue with the cortisone for ever and ever it seems (at least two months), but it looked really good.
The blood work was back too. You see, inflammation to the iris can be connected to a number of chronic diseases. The very kind and very nice doctor showed me paper after paper that said negative. That's good news. But she saved the best for last.

HLA-B27 positive. It has to do with what kind of anti genes I have. It's like knowing my blood type. But being HLA-B27 positive combined with having problems with an aching lower back, and having had the problems since I was about 20 years old, and having had that pain climb up towards my chest from time to time... Yes, all the symptoms matched.

I still need a back scan but the diagnosis is:
I have Bechterews disease.

Logically I actually do look at it this way:
I've had problems with back aches for quite some time, and now, with the right diagnosis I will get the right help. Finally. I will get physical therapy and I will finally start exercising again. I mean, I have to. I can actually get better and have less pain than I do now for many decades, so by many means, this is a good thing.

But emotionally I have to deal with being a person with a chronic disease. Once again a number in the statistics. And I do appreciate (logically) that people care, ask me questions, give me advice, tilt their heads and say stuff like "poor thing". I know it's loving. But it drives me nuts. Since I'm trying to deal with this, understanding what it means to me, I hate everything that forces me to react to it, deal with it, in any other way than my own.

So I am sorry for not being the most communicative person in the world right now. I'm being a jerk for a while until I make logic and emotion merge about all this.

i-cord trim

2006-06-13T19:55:00.000+02:00

I had an anonymous comment on my i-cord trim. Since I don't know where to reply I have to do it here. I-cord is not sewn on, it's all knitting. And you can learn how to do it HERE. Though I think I did it a little bit differently.

You make a trim with it by knitting the last stitch of every row together (and twisted) with a stitch along the trim. For my purple and lime sweater I did this:

I picked up a full row in lime along the neckline, then cast on an extra three stitches to make the i-cord from.

Knit two stitches
Knit next two together through backloop.
Put three stitches back onto left needle.
Repeat.

colorful

2006-06-12T23:43:00.000+02:00

I've had almost complaints that I knit too monochromatically, and mostly in dark and earth tones. So last time I was in the yarn store I think those complaints echoed in my head when I chose my yarn for my next top down free style sweater. I'm going nuts with this one, both in color and pattern, you'll see. For now, there's only a peek at the beautiful i-cord I made around the neckline. Plum and lime ladies and gentlemen! And don't you ever call me boring again! *laughs loudly*

overload

2006-06-11T17:56:00.000+02:00

I was ill for two weeks. Then I had to catch up a lot after having been almost blind. Lots to do last week, even if the doctor told me to try and take it easy. Sunny weather and me stuck indoors. My beloved bookshelf crashed and I built a new one. Then I had dad here for a visit and then I organized a knitting event. Then came planning this autumn with different projects at two different jobs. Tax papers to clear and sign. Finally there is making my balcony into the cosy summer hang out that I want it to be. And pondering my future economy situation. Medicating with eye drops every hour still...

Suddenly I had one of those "It's just too much"-moments and I just dried my tears off my cheek. I've been crying almost hysterically for fifteen minutes. I think I needed it. Badly.

I think I just let some of it go. It sure felt nice.

I'll be puffy eyed tomorrow.

hit by a rainbow

2006-06-10T21:58:00.000+02:00

Sometimes beauty just hits me.
These pictures of rainbows just did that to me.

WWKIPD

2006-06-10T20:54:00.000+02:00

The World Wide Knit In Public Day Knit-nic was a great success! Enthusiastic knitters gathered on a lawn today, knitting in the sun, smiling at people passing by who nosily wondered what all this yarn was doing in their park... Everything was sunny and wonderful, except the fact that I had to wear a baseball cap. I hate baseball caps. I look ridiculous in baseball caps. But it's even more ridiculous to not wear a cap because you look silly even if you're crying your left eye out because of the light, so I chose to be a grown-up about it and wore the stupid hat. Except for when I posed for this photo:

Yes! I got to show off my finished Top Down Free Style Raglan! Isn't it GREAT? I totally love it and I actually think it is the best sweater ever. At least knitted and on me. Best ever. I promise! It's because of my evil eye that I squint like that and wear glasses, but with this sweater on, I still manage to look totally cute! (Thanks Mia for taking the picture for me.)

Yes, my left eye is still very sensitive to light, but I am doing much better. I can knit, which is a huge improvement from my audiobooks-as-only-hobby-state of illness.

After todays' knit-nic in the park, two wonderful knitters followed me home to watch Sweden's first game in the soccer world championships. Trinidad & Tobago fought well, but damn the Swedes were... lazy almost. Nothing to nothing is a very disappointing opening to these championships. But hey, I brought out my Tubey for it! It's been a while since I even touched it because I'm not sure it's becoming what I wanted it to be... But I'll give it another chance.

And, I have a new bookshelf. I'm trying to write something poetic about bookshelves and my love of books, so I won't say too much about it yet, but it turned out great. I love my wall of me. Come to my house and browse through my bookshelf and you'll get to know a lot about me. That is for sure...

light of life

2006-06-04T11:02:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had a wonderful evening on my balcony with my lovely friend S, with coffee, my waterpipe and conversation. Truthfully I did most of the talking. As usual, I guess, but in my defense I have been craving human contact for some time now.

Today my eye is watering, but hey, I opened my blinds! First time in over two weeks. Daylight and my life is coming back into my livingroom. Two knitting friends are coming over today and I can't wait to feel like I'm in the loop again.

Knitting, talking to friends, reading (I haven't picked up a book in two weeks!) and living! In your face (actually in my face) stupid watering eye!

timber!

2006-06-03T20:10:00.001+02:00

My home designed boók shelf finally collapsed. Only the bottom shelf, but still, it's where I kept all my very heavy art and architecture coffee-table-book-meet-phone-catalogues-and-the-village-bible type of books.

I knew I had miscalculated the shelf construction, but I really like it all the same. And it did hold up for almost four years. However, it needs to be replaced, redesigned or rebuilt. Preferably yesterday, unless I wish to die a booklovers' death being buried under my book collection.

Why do everything happen at once? I was going to redecorate my kitchen when I had the money, and now I have to rethink this whole thing. If only my life was less shaped like a sine wave and more... mellowed out... Or not. Did I just make a wish for boredom? Slap me.

I'm back

2006-06-02T20:26:00.000+02:00

I'm getting better. It's still one eye drop an hour, but I get to do it to myself, by myself at home.

I spent three nights in a hospital bed. Every hour, around the clock, shuffling feet came sneaking into my room, then somebody turned a light on and put a drop of Isopto Maxidex in my left eye.

I had an aggressive version of irit, which is an inflammation of the iris. My kind made me blind on my left eye, but I saw white instead of darkness. There was a milky white membrane of illness in between the different lenses and layers that constitutes the eye. And the pupil got stuck in the inflammation, and that is painful if you didn’t know.

However, there are qualities about a stay at the hospital that needs to be recognized. I got to lay down and relax without feeling even a shred of guilt about not doing something else. My stressed out self really valued this time out in my life.
People showed up and told me they care. I know I havce some fantastic friends, but having them come to the hospital still was a very sentimental treat.

warning:
On a completely other note there is a warning to be issued:

On June 9, the soccer world championships will commence. I will then turn into soccer freak Lisa, a Lisa not many of you know. I already have all the game dates written down. A .pdf of the schedule is saved on my desktop. I have translated it into an excel document to tally scores and calculate and do prognoseses (Plural how?) on how Sweden would get through with the best possible line up of opposing teams...
I warn you now, because I will not be accountable for the rambling sports fool I will become during these glorious soccer summer weeks of 2006...

dark waters

2006-05-24T15:39:00.000+02:00

If you haven't tried taking a shower in complete darkness I suggest you do.

A soothing experience for my still very swollen eye, and a peculiar experience for me. It's amazing how well I've worked in my grooming routines. My hands recognize every bottle, every tile and the taps in my shower. My body seems to know the distances perfectly. I put my foot on the stool I keep in my shower to soap my leg and it didn't occur to me until afterwards that I might just as well have kicked the wall... Except I couldn't because I knew exactly where the stool was. As well as where the walls were.

An eye infection can sometimes give you unexpected lessons about yourself and about your senses. I am so dependant on my eyesight in many other areas, but with just some routine, I can actually make do without it. I'll remember that.

I should probably mention I have an unusually large shower cabin, and that turning the lights on was like stabbing myself in the eye, so I didn't do this as an experiment. It was out of necessity. Even a sick girl needs to keep clean right?

Now I have to take a break from the computer again. Even with patch my eye starts running after looking at the screen for about 10 minutes.

ay ay eye

2006-05-23T14:02:00.000+02:00

This post was written in a very whiny voice. Read it as such.
Remember the cute girl from Sweden with the big blue eyes?

She is temporarily replaced with sick wreck of girl, with swollen, hurting lump instead of left eye.

The doctor says it'll pass. I sure hope he's right. In the picture I'm struggling to have it opened at all. I am wearing a homemade eye patch. I look ridiculous and it hurts. It hurts bad.

Poor, poor me.

softer world

2006-05-22T12:27:00.000+02:00

I was reminded I have a personality, and that I let it show, when I got an email from Mandy the other day.

When someone else finds a webpage, then figures out that I would love it and then takes the time to send it to me, I have to realize that they care. And when I do love it just as much as they thought I would, I know that I have let somebody else know who I am.

Don't underestimate the compliments you get. Instead, milk them for all they're worth. That's my new strategy. My old strategy of pushing compliments away saying "No you are!" sucks. I need the compliments so why not actually listen and hear them when they're given to me.

Anyway, Mandy sent me this:
http://www.asofterworld.com/
I am hooked. I want to be the one making this artsy comic. But I'll settle being satisfied that somebody else is. Thank you Mandy.

update topdown

2006-05-13T21:30:00.000+02:00

I told you it was going to be the best sweater ever! That promise still stands! Fun to knit, perfect fit... I'm making top down raglans forever and ever if it's always like this. A little decrease there (to show off the boobs) and a little increase here to make it bell out a little. It will go all the way to the hip, and the sleeves are going to be a little bell shaped too. What do you think? Should I add a tiny eyelet lace edge of some sort to go with the fabulous shoulder increase?

boogabag

2006-05-12T23:33:00.000+02:00

Soon is now:

So, now I have a cute bag. Then what? (I'm blogging as an excuse for not working at 11.30 pm. Does it actually count and is it really a smart thing to do?) I could just go to bed, but sleep? Who came up with the idea that I'd even be able to? Many curse words later I find myself actually dragging my tired self to the bathroom for some grooming exercises before bedtime.
Oh, or maybe I should refurbish the whole place first? Or solve world hunger? Or save someones life? Or just surf the net for another sleepless hour?
People! Stop me! Tell me to get some sleep! And while you're at it feel free to remind me of the many benefits of eating breakfast...

just a few

2006-05-12T22:47:00.000+02:00

... things I'd like to tell you about. I wish I had more words to describe it all, but I seem to have run out of words lately. (To those of you who have actually met me, you know what a disturbing picture that is - Lisa without words - as if! She's a chatterbox... usually) Anyway:
1. You shouldn't try and give people compliments when you're drunk. The guy on the bus was highly intoxicated and referred to me (in Swedish) as "one helluva woman, at least breastwise". I was in a bad mood and felt like punching him, but thinking of it now I realize it's kind of funny somehow.
2. The world's cutest kid can not stand still. I saw a choir of about 50 six-year-olds today. One boy in the front couldn't help dancing to every song they sang. He was on stage! "Look at me!" I actually cried with happiness watching him.
3. I love my job, but I'm damn tired right now.
4. I made a boogabag. It's beautiful and I'll show it off soon.
5. When in doubt - smile. You might get one back that will save your day.

from the top down

2006-05-08T22:26:00.000+02:00

I'm alive. I work. I knit. I still haven't cleaned my home. The sun has been shining like it does in the Caribbean right here in our northern corner of the world for several days now, and nobody dares jinx it by saying "I'm too hot". Then it might stop, and we kind of have to love it here.
I still lack inspiration to write something... well, inspired, but I can at least tell you about me being alive, me working and knitting and how the sun is shining on Sweden i May.
And this is what I'm knitting: My first top down raglan. It's going to be the most beautiful sweater in the world. Because I say it will. And oh, it's not this blurry up close. And neither am I. For real.

And I hope all you knitters out there are with me on June 10.
It's Knit In Public Day, and you'll find me in the sun somewhere knitting and purling proudly in front of everybody!

overload

2006-05-02T22:42:00.000+02:00

I should blog about a wonderful trip to Glasgow. Much Mackintosh (see one of thousands of wonderful details above) and seriously considering Glasgow as an alternative to place my home in. Some very good people live in Glasgow and some very cool things to do and see are there too. I should blog about a new lesson I'm doing with kids in the city (How many countries can you find right here in Gothenburg). I should blog about knitting being boring sometimes (3+1 rib forever, please! I am not amused. Need to cast on side project. Soon.) I should blog.
But I knit 3+1 ribbing on my tubey and an i-cord for my boogabag when I'm not working or worrying about work. These weeks are not showing the world the best of me. And I want to go back to Glasgow.
Oh, and the world's best Jch turned another twenty-something last week and had the best party Sunday. I came home at half past six in the morning. We were still dancing at four thirty.
Yes, I'm alive and much is good. I just haven't felt like blogging. Yet.
I will be back soon and then I'll blog A LOT. Damnit.